Marion Lindo, beloved wife of Harry Lindo (predeceased in 1993), and co-founder of the Lindo's Group of Companies, passed on April 15, 2006. She was in her 79th year.

Born Mary Lutzic in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 8, 1927, Marion was the fifth of six children for Andrew and Catherine, immigrants from Austria. Her siblings were Ann, Nancy, Kay, Mike and Danny.

At the age of 18, Marion travelled to Bermuda to visit her brother, Mike, and his wife, Esther (nee Lindo). She met Esther's brother, Harry, and it was love at first sight.

The two were married on July 11, 1946 and had three daughters, Marilyn, Catherine (Cassie) and Sharon.

The family lived at Garthowen in Devonshire while Harry managed a farm and a meat market. Marion assisted the family by working at various stores through the early years.

Not long after Harry and Marion married, Marion was invited to what is now the Evangelical Church of Bermuda to hear Pastor Santos preach. It was there that the other great love affair of her life began, that with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

She soon joined Shiloh Gospel Chapel, a small Brethren church, where she continued to grow in her Christian faith that would carry her right to the very end.

The year 1960 was one of great change for the Lindo family, as they had to vacate their beloved farm. However, they took a giant step of faith by purchasing a property on Watlington Road, Devonshire. Their dream was to built a small meat market and grocery, complete with a family apartment upstairs.

Marion worked two jobs to help pay the mortgage, working long hours into the night with friend, Mary Pimental, sewing Scottish scarves. Before long, though, she joined her husband in the grocery full-time.

A favourite memory for the family was when Marion decided that she needed to learn to drive. She drove everywhere in a green station wagon, picking up goods for the shop. A ruthless driver, she often drove or backed over anything in her path, and then would ask: “Why did you put that wall there in the first place?”

Marion was also a shrewd businesswoman - fearless, aggressive, outspoken and demanding when needed. She believed hard work never hurt anyone, and when her mind was made up, you couldn't change it.

However, she was filled with an amazing love for others, thanks to her Christian faith. She opened up her home on numerous occasions to people in need, caring for their bodies and souls. She was known as “Mom” or “Mama” by staff and customers, and it would never be long before that question came: “Have you asked Jesus to be your Saviour?”

Marion never shrank from responsibility, whether maternal, social or spiritual. Her love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew no bounds, and to them, there was no one like Nanny. It thrilled her to have so many in her family join the business that she and Harry worked so hard for.

During their retirement years, Harry and Marion moved to Lolly's Well Road in Smith's parish and became members at Harrington Sound Gospel Church. They loved their church family dearly and Eulice Talbot and the Zuill family became Marion's most cherished friends.

The Brethren Assembly family became a huge support to the Lindos, especially when Harry became ill. Harry passed away in 1993. To fill the void in her life, Marion spent her time cooking for family, friends, and even strangers. Her garden was a passion. Her two Corgis became her babies. But nothing brought her as much fulfilment as serving the Lord.

Along with the late Eloise Simmons, she helped in after school Bible Clubs, and she joined the Evangelical Church's Ladies Aid group, where she gained many dear friends and opportunities to reach out to those in need. She also travelled weekly with her spiritual mentor, Dolly Tucker, to minister to inmates at the Women's Prison, where it is said the inmates loved her as much as she loved them. She also gave much time to her own family, which brought her much joy.

In March 2005, Marion developed pain in her back that was soon diagnosed as cancer. Throughout her illness, an overflowing of love and concern was showered on Marion from a multitude of people.

Marion is fondly remembered by children Marilyn and Giorgio Zanol, Cassie and William Moniz and Sharon and Jimi Smith; grandchildren Marco and Judith Zanol, Carrie and Fabrizio Alvera, Andre and Cherie-lyn Zanol, Zachary and Kristina Moniz, Christopher and Vicky Smith, Hannah and Andrew DeCosta, Rebecca and Earl Wescom and Matthew and Laura Smith, as well as 15 great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives, special friends, the Lindo's staff and the Harrington Sound Gospel Chapel family.